about the house and gardens by yourself, or to spend your time usefully
with the other children in the school-room?"

"I would rather be with the girls, if they would like to have me," said
Hetty after a few moments' reflection. "But I think Phyllis would rather
I stayed away."

"Oh, I think not," said Mrs. Enderby; "Phyllis never makes a fuss about
anything, but I will answer for her that she will welcome you."

"I think she does not like me," said Hetty, looking steadily at her
hostess with large serious eyes.

"Take care you do not dislike her," said Mr. Enderby, with a slight look
of displeasure. "In this house we do not indulge such fancies."

"My dear, you must not think that because our manners here in the
country may be quieter and perhaps less warm than those of some of the
people you have lived with abroad, our hearts are therefore cold. Come,
then, if you have finished breakfast, I will take you myself into the
school-room."

Half pleased and half unwilling Hetty suffered herself to be led away,
and her heart beat fast as she crossed the school-room threshold. Miss
Davis sat at the end of the table with an open exercise book before her,
and a severely businesslike look upon her face. Phyllis and Nell bent
over their books at either side of the same table. Maps hung on the
walls and books lay about everywhere. Hetty instantly, and for the first
time in her life, felt keenly that she was a dunce.